Style Blogging from Buffalo

Archive for the ‘Dandyisms’ Category

This June one of the Dandiest bars in New York City is set to open it’s doors and we could not be more excited. The Oscar Wilde Bar, named after the famous Irish author, is an extravagant Victorian-style bar which inspired by the life of one of the most infamous Dandy’s in history. Boasting the longest continuous bar in NYC (120 feet) and over $4 Million in design features, the Oscar Wilde Bar is sure to be a favorite among lovers of opulence and decadence, like Mr. Wilde himself.

Full of stunning ornate features, sculptures, portraits and whimsical hidden features (like the 26 clocks throughout preeminently set at ten to two, the time at which Wilde died), the bar will feature many of Oscar Wilde’s signature beverages, like champagne and absinth, over 300 types of whiskey and of course, Guinness. There is even a life-size statue of Oscar Wilde at the bar that patrons can buy a drink for. There will be no seats at the bar, since the owners want visitors to stand and talk to one another instead of looking at their phones all night, something we are 100% behind.

If you happen to find yourself in NYC this Summer, we highly recommend stopping by dressed in your Dandy best. Because as Mr. Wilde famously said: “Looking good and dressing well is a necessity.”

Check out the full of story (as well as some stunning photographs) about the Oscar Wilde Bar here.

Jack Carlson, author of the Dandy-favorite Rowing Blazers, has just launched his very own collection of rowing-inspired apparel line aptly named Rowing Blazers, and it looks AMAZING!

Comprised of classic rowing blazer styles and distressed shirts (all hand-made in the USA) as well as ties, belts, hats and wide range of vintage books and accessories, the collection blends classic ivy league style with a modern twist. The blazers have crossed-stitched latin motto’s hidden under the lapels, while the button down shirts have the same distressed look and feel as many of the blazers featured in Jack’s book. The tongue and cheek graphics used throughout the collection are spot on and I love the mixing of classic hip hop culture with vintage rowing books, pins and diving watches (more on that below).

As far as his inspiration behind the line, Jack has this to say:

” This collection is inspired by the traditions, myths, and rituals I discovered while writing the book Rowing Blazers. It’s also inspired by my collection of vintage blazers; my research in archaeology, heraldry, and classics; and my time at Oxford.

Today, virtually everyone owns a blazer. But few realize that the blazer has its origins in the sport of rowing. The original blazers-unlined flannel jackets with patch pockets, no vents and metal buttons-where the hoodies of their time. Everything about them served a practical function; even the loud colors were designed to help spectators tell which crew was which.

It was the one of these early rowing jackets – in “blazing” red – that gave us the word “blazer”. Early oarsmen developed an attachment to their blazers, and incorporated them into their daily dress on terra firm, where the were soon imitated by rugby players, cricket players and others. By the end of the 19th century, the blazer was s tape of any gentleman’s wardrobe.

Like the court liveries and armorial devices of medieval Europe, the street gang colors of Compton, and the patches and badges of the Hell’s Angels, rowing blazers are tribal totems. The are ceremonial vestments, worn to emphasize both community and difference: to impress, intimidate and influence.

Menswear is supposed to be meaningful,-every detail considered, nothing random. That’s how I approached this collection: meaningful, thoughtful, irreverent, cryptic.”

Take a look at some of the beautiful detailed shots and favorite pieces from his collection (which is already selling out) below. Seriously, this whole collection is fire. I want everything even though I’ve only ever rowed in Dragon Boat races. That counts, right?

Looks like I’m going to have to hand over the title of “Buffalo Dandy” to young Shelden Gibbs, the 11 year old CEO and Founder of Classic Knot. This Buffalo-based entrepreneur has been handcrafting his own line of custom bow ties since May 2016 with no signs of slowing down. Under the watchful eye of his mom, Shelden selects his own fabrics and makes all the ties himself. He also offers matching neck tie and pocket square combos which he sells at trade shows and online via his website.

Big props to this stylish young Dandy for making some truly handsome neckwear and we wish him luck in his endeavor of “creating style that makes statements”. Visit his online shop at classicknot.comand check out some of our favorite ties below. Keep up the great work Shelden!

Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label made their return to New York Fashion Week this year to showcase their latest collection for Fall/Winter 17. With it’s long awaited return, the elevated label once again redefines classic menswear shapes and patterns, with a focus (as always) deeply rooted in craftsmanship and artisan details. If you are wondering what to wear these last few months of Winter, this is a solid place to start for inspiration.

While the days are the Dandy for many are fading away, the desire to look ones best should always be at the forefront of a true gentleman’s mind. This collection provides a perfect glimpse into how to the look of the Dapper Man (Dandy) is evolving to accommodate a more comfortable lifestyle; both leisurely and sartorially.

With the ever-present Navajo prints, fair isles, country tweeds, turtlenecks, wide lapels, pleats (gasp) suedes and just the right touch of western flair, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite looks from the collection below so you’ll have plenty of time to save up for these once they hit the stores this Fall.

Here is another look from our photoshoot at The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls which offers some great inspiration for What To Wear to your upcoming holiday party. Professional yet comfortable, this outfit has plenty of elements to make sure you show up looking your Dandy best this holiday season.

As I stated in the previous post, Saks Off 5th is an easy one-stop-shop for looking your Dandy best. Plus many of their blazers are cut so perfectly (like this one from Hugo Boss), you might even be able to skip the trip to the tailor. Playing with some Holiday colors like forest green and brown to compliment the deep blue herringbone blazer, the knowledgeable staff at Saks can help you make sure your accessories compliment rather than match perfectly so you don’t look like you’re going to a wedding.

I couldn’t walk out of just one pair of pants at Levi’s, so when I was in the store they showed me their newest 511 pants that were actually made from flannel so I knew I had to give them a try. Trust me when I tell you, you will fall in love with these pants. They fit perfectly and are so soft and comfortable I intend to be living in these for most of the Winter. This cotton scarf I found in the store also added just the right amount of European flair to outfit to make it slightly more casual in case you don’t feel like wearing a tie.

Lastly, I finally rediscovered one of my favorite loafers of all time from the Clark’s store. The Bostonian Loafer has extra padding on the sole and are the perfect shade of brown which I have had an extremely difficult time finding anywhere else. Once I spotted them out of the corner of my eye, I immediately recognized my old friends and slipped them on like they never left after being loved (worn/chewed by the dog) to death.

It’s no secret that J.Crew is a favorite of ours here at Buffalo Dandy, so I am thrilled to announce that we’ve recently partnered with them to host a special Holiday Styling and Shopping Event at their Walden Galleria location! J.Crew will be closing their store for the evening so attendees can enjoy a private shopping experience with food and refreshments provided by the ever delicious Bravo Cucina Italiana. Naturally we’ll be spinning vinyl all night long and offering styling tutorials throughout the evening. As an added bonus, those attending will also get an extra 20% off their orders off of $125 or more. Something which, as we all know, is a pretty easy thing to do at J.Crew.

Holding an event like this at one of my favorite stores is a dream of mine since I started Buffalo Dandy so many years ago. I’m thrilled to invite all readers, fans of fashion, fellow bloggers, influencers, dandies, bon vivants, rakes, rascals, connoisseurs, shopaholics, family and friends to attend this event. Feel free to bring a plus 1 as well!

The event will be held Thursday, December 8th at the J.Crew Store in the Walden Galleria Mall from 6:00-9:30PM

With the holidays quickly approaching here in Buffalo, it’s time to start planning for one our favorite times of the year: Black Friday. While many wouldn’t dream of heading out into the madness on this often dreaded day after Thanksgiving, I revel in it. It’s a tradition in the Dandy household that we pack into the car and head out usually around 10 am because, while our newborn already has us up at 5:30, we’re not about that “get to the mall at dawn” life. So we head to the mall to brave the crowds, hopefully snag some deals and enjoy our first Peppermint Mocha of the season.

With all the renovations and new stores at the Fashion Outlets at Niagara Falls, it’s easily become one of my favorite shopping destinations in Buffalo. Imagine my surprise/delight when I was asked to participate in a photoshoot at the Outlets to showcase pieces from some of my favorite stores and put together a “What to Wear on Black Friday” outfit.

The temperatures in Buffalo are dropping steadily, which means Winter will be rearing it’s ugly head soon enough. Which I’m kind of OK with because they means it will be time to start busting out some more rugged wardrobe staples. Thankfully, the recently opened Timberland store has pretty much everything you’ll need to handle those tough Buffalo Winters. The Mount Davis Waxed Jacket is heavy duty enough to protect you from the elements but is also lightweight enough for wearing indoors. So you don’t have to worry about overheating while walking around the mall in a bulky winter jacket. I’m also in love with their Earthkeeper Boots, which are made from recycled materials and are perfect for being on your feet all day while shopping til you drop. The boots tend to run big which means they’ll fit perfectly with a pair thick woolen socks which are also available in the store.

Next we stopped by the Levi’s store and spoke with their extremely knowledgable staff about the best way to finish putting our look together. I’m a big fan our of their 511 style, which is slim but not too slim with just the right amount of stretch and the perfect low rise. With plenty of washes to choose from, I went with a more worn-in look to match the jacket. I also eyed an olive corduroy western shirt which is just holiday-looking enough amidst the sea of red you tend see everywhere this time of year. With all the affordable pricing on some truly stellar pieces, the Levi’s store quickly became a new favorite of mine.

I finished this casual look off with a nice heavy-knit Hugo Boss scarf from Saks Off Fifth. Now, don’t get me wrong, one could easily pick an entire outfit from any of these stores (more on that later), but I often find this store to be more of a scavenger hunt unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. However, if you’re looking for some simple, well made accessories for some easy stocking stuffer wins, Saks should definitely be one of your first stops.

Once all of these pieces were put together, you have a comfortable yet fashionable look which is perfect for the unpredictable Buffalo weather and makes spending all day at the mall a breeze.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the items mentioned above, The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls will be hosting a Fashionably Late Black Friday Event on November 24th-25th. The Mall will open at 8PM-2AM on Thanksgiving Day and reopening at 6AM on Black Friday until 9PM with several stores (Levi’s and Timberland included) staying open for 24 hours straight. This late night shopping event is a great option for those looking to beat some of the holiday crowds without having to get up a the crack of dawn.

Many thanks to the Fashion Outlets at Niagara Falls for letting me spend the day shopping with them and be sure to stay tuned for next month’s post about what to wear to those upcoming Holiday Parties.

In an attempt to try and offset the sense of impending doom facing our country, I took the day off yesterday for some retail therapy and walked around the mall for about 6 hours. One of my final stops was Old Navy and I found yet another stellar jacket at a truly remarkable price. This heavyweight tweed topcoat is currently on sale in the store for only $45 ($63 online).

Every year it seems we are told that the camel topcoat is a must have for Fall/Winter and we heartily agree. Well, guess what? Old Navy has this style in a camel color way as well. But for those in the market for a Dandier looking option, I highly recommend the tweed version. I decided to buy a size down and got a small so I could wear the coat as is, instead of over a blazer. Since the turtleneck and blazer look has been everywhere this Fall (psssh, way to catch up), pairing my trusty L.L.Bean turtleneck with this look was a no brainer. Even Dandy Jr. seemed to appreciate it because before I left this morning he said: “Oh Daddy, you look really handsome today.” So at least I have that going for me.

With the recent dip in temperature and the more flowing garments I acquire/make, today seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally try out this ASOS Blanket Scarf I purchased last year but never actually wore. Fall is the perfect time to start wearing something as daring as this because it provides just the right amount of warmth and looks freaking amazing blowing in the wind as you walk down the street striking a sweet #menswear pose.

Sadly this style is no longer available, but you can check out some of the latest versions on ASOS’s website here.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed from some of the recent outfit posts on the blog and BD Instagram, these past few seasons I’ve been more and more obsessed with longer sweaters and jackets, particularly ones of the Japanese kimono variety. One of the most revered brands which specializes in this style of jacket is Visvim and their Sanjuro jackets. While these garments are beautiful to look at and undoubtedly exceptionally made, the price range for the majority of these coats is astronomical. Like $1,000 astronomical. Not gonna happen.

While I’ve been salivating over one of these for a while and playing with the idea of scouring sites like Grailed.com for a used one, I wasn’t even sure if I would like how it looked on me once I got it. Then I remembered, oh wait, I can totally just sew one of these myself for like $20. So that’s what I did. After doing some research on kimono and noragi jackets (which I found out was the correct term for what I was trying to make) I acquired the right kind of mid-weight denim I was looking for and got to work. Naturally this took a little longer than usual to make because my sewing time had to revolve around waiting the wife and I put the kids to bed, but once I got back into the swing of staying up late and flexing the old sewing muscles I realized just how much I had missed making my own clothes.

I chose to keep the edges of the eri (collar) raw, for both a contrast and distressed look and I kept the sleeves longer than the standard workwear shortened length so I could roll the sleeves if I wanted. While the final result is far from perfect, that was a great way to give this style of outerwear a test drive without breaking the bank. Plus the fact that I can say “yeah I made this” never gets old.

If you are digging this style of jacket and are curious of where to get one, I’ve picked out some of my favorite options below. Like I said, been obsessing over these for a while.

Lifestyle blogging from Buffalo where I live with my beautiful wife, our adorable french bulldog, a son who has a penchant for wearing capes and a beautiful baby girl who is practicing to be a debutante.